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    I always wanted to write a book, about classrooms, students, and day-to-day humorous situations .  My students would ask,"Can I be in your book?" And I would reply," You're page one.", giving us both a big laugh. 

    During summer vacations I traveled to places I had read about, wanting to see for myself the wonders out there.  Back home as I visited classrooms and talked to students, I realized that they were interested in knowing stories about people and other countries I had visited. I would get the globe, we would settle in on the floor, and talk about some adventure I had. For this reason, my book starts with a map on the title page.

                                It's a BIG world!

    I love travel, although I'm terrible at long road trips. I love meeting new people and hearing about their lives, visiting homes and schools.

    One thing I have learned is that we are more alike than we think. Most people have wanted to share stories of their lives, often inviting me into their homes for a meal or to show me how they live, even though we don't speak the same language, a smile goes a long way. I have been in huts, apartments, tents and storefronts learning that

people's needs, fears and tears are much alike all over the world. 

So enjoy this book about my encounter with this young man in Beijing, China. I have another story about the Masai Mara.

                             

                                  Cathy Wentworth

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